Do we know our footballing worth?

Moroccan football fans' high expectations following the national team's historic World Cup semi-final appearance are misplaced, according to commentator Ali El Wakili. He argues that comparing Morocco's achievement to reaching a second consecutive semi-final is unrealistic, especially when considering nations with longer football histories.

Wakili points to Mexico, a country deeply passionate about football with numerous World Cup appearances and a strong professional league, which has never reached a semi-final. Even Italy, a four-time World Cup winner with a renowned league, has struggled in recent tournaments, failing to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He questions whether Morocco's domestic league can truly be considered competitive on a global scale, citing the struggles of prominent African clubs like Wydad and Raja in continental competitions.

The author acknowledges that coach Walid Regragui elevated Moroccan football's reputation, but he questions the team's playing style during the World Cup. While pragmatists might focus on results, Wakili suggests that matches against Spain and Portugal revealed a team that relied on tight defense and counter-attacks, a style he believes many average teams could employ to cause upsets. He contrasts this with the attractive, attacking football displayed by the national team against Brazil and the Netherlands, and recalls a similar style in the 1998 World Cup against Norway and Scotland.

Wakili also expresses concern over the state of the Moroccan professional league, calling it a "breeding ground for corruption" where some view it as a source of personal gain. He questions the team's limited success in the Africa Cup of Nations, having won it only twice, and dismisses common excuses like conspiracy or bad luck. The core issue, he contends, is the lack of development within the domestic league, which he believes should be the primary source of national team players.